Terry's Computer Tips - Newsletter
April 15, 2007
Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter
http://www.terryscomputertips.com
A computer tips newsletter for users of PC's.
Volume 2, Number 44 — Sunday, April 15, 2007
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
IN THIS WEEK'S ON-LINE ISSUE:
1. Something New at Terry's Computer Tips
2. Updates Last Week
3. Accidental Wireless Connections
4. More about Windows Genuine Advantage Notification
5. Another Accidental Wireless Connection
6. My Computer Security Software Recommendations
7. Latest Version - Windows Genuine Advantage Notification
8. Recommend my Terry's Computer Tips Newsletter to Your Friends
Welcome to the on-line edition of my Terry's Computer Tips newsletter.
My emailed newsletter is sent weekly to individuals who have subscribed to the newsletter. Click here to subscribe. It's free!
1. Something New at Terry's Computer Tips
I've just added a new form to Terry's Computer Tips — it's located via the links near the bottom of any page,
You can send me a comment, send me anonymous feedback, Tell A Friend about Terry's Computer Tips, or sign up — of course, since you're reading this, you're already subscribed.
Although there are four different links for these in the footer, they take you to the same form -- and put you on the correct tab. While you've got it open, you can select any of the others for action, too.
To return to the web page (the same page you were on!) just click the gray X in the top right-hand corner of that form.
By the way, since this generates emails, the "CAPTCHA" function is used. CAPTCHA is a graphic system for displaying letters and/or numbers. It's purpose is to prevent froms from sending emails or posting messages by automated means.
You get a box with some partially obscured characers -- and a box to type them into. Then, click submit. If you don't type the characters correctly, you'll get a different CAPTCHA box with different characters.
This enables you to easily send me a comment via the web site (it emails to me), but lets me keep from showing an email address on my web site. In other words, not only does it add functions, it will help prevent spam.
This was a neat little script called My Contact Station that was released this week -- in two versions. These are only useful for people who have web sites that are not at their ISP's (Internet Service Providers typically let you load complete web pages, but not scripts that will run on their servers).
Anyway, the Basic script provides the comment and feedback functions for only $7. The Premium version is another $27 and adds the Tell A Friend and Mailing List Signup functions, and is available only as a one-time-offer.
I've got the Premium version of "My Contact Station" and will be adding the functions to several of my sites.
2. Updates Last Week
Microsoft (operating systems, email, web browser, office suites):
Microsoft releases almost all updates once per month, on the second Tuesday. There was an urgent, off-cycle update this week for a flaw that was being actively attacked.
Security Update for Windows XP (KB925902)
Typical download size: 455 KB
A security issue has been identified that could allow an attacker to compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it. You can help protect your computer by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
Firefox (web browser, http://www.mozilla.com, free):
Versions 2.0.0.3 and 1.5.0.11 were released on March 20, 2007.
The Mozilla Foundation will continue updating Firefox 1.5.x until April 24, 2007. That's this month! Now's the time to upgrade to Firefox v2. Firefox is free.
Opera (web browser, http://www.opera.com, free):
Version 9.20 was released on April 11th. This release of a recommended security upgrade, in addition to having several new features. Read the details.
Netscape (web browser, http://browser.netscape.com, free):
Version 8.1.3 was released during he week of April 1.
Quoting the web site:
What's new in this version? Security fixes
SeaMonkey (web browser, email, HTML editor, newsreader; http://www.mozilla.org/projects/seamonkey; free): Version 1.1.1 and version 1.0.8 were released on February 28, 2007. These are security update and stability releases.
Eudora (email, http://www.eudora.com, options: paid, sponsored or free/lite):
No update last week. Version 7.1.0.9 was released October 11, 2006. This was announced as to be the last commercial version before Eudora becomes open-source in the first half of 2007.
Warning: If you were running "Sponsored Mode" in a version before 7.1.0.9, it's probably too late now. Sponsored mode in the earlier versions expired on March 31st — and will revert to the less-functional "Lite" mode. Fortunately, Eudora is very nicely designed. You can install a new version in a new directory and then copy the data files from the old version to the new.
Mozilla Thunderbird (email, http://www.mozilla.com/thunderbird, free):
Thunderbird version 1.5.0.10 was released on March 1, 2007. This version includes stability improvements and security fixes.
OpenOffice (office suite — spreadsheet, word processor, presentations, graphics, web design; http://www.openoffice.org; free):
Version 2.2 was released on March 29th.
From the OpenOffice.org web site:
OpenOffice.org 2.2 is an important new release and all should download it, as it resolves security issues and includes significant enhancements. These are both general and specific. A full list of the new features and fixes is given in our release notes, but among them:
- Enhanced text display throughout
- Better support for Pivot Tables in Calc
- Several key improvements in Base
- A more robust Mac version for X11
- ... And many more
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
Volume 2, Number 44 — Sunday, April 15, 2007
Copyright © 2007 Terry A. Stockdale. All rights reserved.
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